Have you ever visited a spa? It is one of the best ways to pamper yourself and get away from it all, and so good for mind and body!

A spa visit can encompass many services. You don’t have to stop at the massage table. There are manicures, pedicures, facials, wraps and mud baths, yes wonderful mud baths. So, what is a mud bath? We are not talking about “hogs rolling in the dirt” kind of mud here. This is a special mud treatment that works wonders not only for stress relief but also as a beauty treatment. Mud baths are a warm gooey relaxing way to unwind having the added benefit of anti-inflammatory properties. They contain many minerals that can soothe itchy, irritated skinremoving the toxins from the skin and toning and tightening the pores. In fact, people with conditionssuch as psoriasis, rosacea and spondylitis, have found relief from their ailments by taking a dip in these seemingly innocuous dirt-and-water concoctions. Spas and salons typically use a soil composed of seaweed, volcanic ash, clay and other mineral-rich substances mixed with mineral or spring water.

Mud baths go back to ancient Egypt. Royalty enjoyed them as a way to stay beautiful and vibrant. It involves using products created by Mother Nature herself.

One of the most popular places in the United States is in California - Calistoga to be exact. The mud used there is a mix of volcanic ash and natural mineral spring water. The area is awash with deposits of volcanic ash and hot springs. Mixing these two together results in the rich dark pool that many love to soak in. Some also add peat moss to the mixture to buoy you up while you sit in your mud bath.

The health benefits that users swear by are not scientifically proven, but you know what you feel. Those clear unclogged pores, the relief from the body once those toxins are removed even easing muscular and joint pain as well.

If you ever go for a mud bath, here is what will likely happen. The pool is in the floor and built for one at a time. Someone will help you lower yourself into the super-warm concoction. The mud is heated to about 100 degrees. It may feel funny at first until you get settled in.

You are immersed up to your neck. Don’t worry about heading for the bottom. The peat helps give you a feeling of being suspended in the mud instead of sinking in quicksand. You will sweat a lot from the temperature of the mud but that is one way to remove toxins.

When your soothing experience is done, you are given cool clothes to help your body’s temperature come down naturally. You will also drink cool water to replenish the fluids lost.

The mud bath is not for everyone, though. If you are pregnant or even claustrophobic, the experience may not be compatible with you. Especially in Calistoga, the mineral water has lots of sulfur in it and that smells like stinky rotten eggs.

Are you looking for something new to do at the spa? How about a mud bath?Your mind and body will benefit from Mother Nature’s providence.